Every year when I plant my garden, I feel a tinge of doubt. Shaking out lettuce seeds from the packet, they seem hard and lifeless. I drop the seeds into a trench […]
What are seeds made of – and how can they grow into fruitful plants?!
Why are seeds of different sizes and shapes?
Seeds come in different sizes and shapes across plant species. They range from dust-sized seeds in orchids to double coconut Lodoicea (yes, coconuts are seeds!). Depending on geographical location and the prevailing […]
The incredible, edible seed
Think about all the animals at the zoo. Even though the elephant looks drastically different from the eagle, they each share common functions for survival. Including humans, all animals (with few exceptions) […]
How does the USDA help make global seed trade safer?
Whether you garden, farm, research plants, or develop new plant varieties, healthy seeds are critical to your success. Seeds are also big business. In 2018, global seed exports were worth more than […]
Protecting seeds: The what, why, and how of seed treatments
For millennia, people have understood the need to protect seeds. They are precious packets of life that bring us food. As early as 2000 BC, there are records of people soaking seeds […]
How are seeds labeled for a farmer’s purchase?
When planning their successful farming enterprise, farmers often start with buying high-quality seed. Before even reaching the marketplace, Certified Seed goes through inspection to ensure: the amount of weed seeds present does […]
How can you prevent weed seeds from germinating in your garden?
Cover crops differ from ‘regular’ crops in that they are grown solely so the soil is covered, rather than for harvestable things. Cover crops are used by lots of folks – grain […]
What are the long-term effects of the Fukushima disaster on local agronomy?
On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced the unprecedented Tohoku earthquake. It was the largest in Japan’s history, and created a massive tsunami that impacted Japan’s northeastern coast. A result of the earthquake […]
How do radishes work as a cover crop?
Farmers love tools. The prospect of a fully stocked tool shed ranges from badge of honor to true obsession. Plants, too, can be used as tools. Integrating cover crops into a […]
Reviewing the importance of International Year of Plant Health
The United Nations (U.N.) declared 2020 the International Year of Plant Health. This sent a powerful message to the world: Plants are life. Sadly, the COVID-19 crisis changed a lot of 2020 […]